Author: Mercedes Milligan

Annecy Details 2017 Highlights, People and Participants

France’s Annecy animation festival (June 12-17) and MIFA market (June 13-16) is just around the corner, and this year’s event highlights are jelling nicely. 2017 will welcome the first-ever MIFA Campus, headlined by Guillermo del Toro — plus all the on-site professional conferences and traditional meetings at the Imperial Palace. Organizers have also named two illustrious Personality of the Year awardees, special press conferences and the first ever Women in Animation World Summit.

For the 1st MIFA Campus on June 13, dedicated to students and entry-level professionals, patron Guillermo del Toro will present a “Conversation” at 2 p.m. (Verdi A&B). Ice Age and Rio director Carlos Saldanha will also share his experience with the next generation at 9 a.m. (Tente imperiale). The day will also feature Chat With sessions (Walt Disney Animation Studios: An Interactive Portfolio Workshop; Join the Force with ILM Recruitment; The Folimage Studio), Workshops including “Getting Hired and Staying Hired in Animation/VFX Studios” and “Before the Animation Begins: Getting the Characters Ready to Act”; and several new initiative feedback sessions about training programs and talent incubators in France and abroad.

The 2017 MIFA & Variety’s Animation Personality of the Year Award will be presented to both Marc Bonny, President of French distribution company Gebeka Films, and Eric Beckman, CEO of American distributor GKIDS. The dual honors will celebrate their respective careers and salute their mutual commitments to distributing independent films, which for example saw both execs spearhead the national and international theatrical expansion of My Life as a Zucchini.

Lots of exciting developments will be details at the press conferences being held throughout the week, by TeamTO (unveiling a new 3D animation school), Disney Television Animation (with Hélène Etzi, Eric Coleman and Orion Ross), France Televisions, the Syndicate of Animation Film Producers, Lagardere Active and Les Espoirs de l’Animation, and Canal+ Family.

This year will also present the very first Women in Animation World Summit, which is set for Monday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Rotonde de l’Europe. The international event is being presented by US-based Women in Animation and France’s Les Femmes s’Animent, together with Walt Disney Animation Studios, the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), the Société des auteurs et compositeurs dramatiques (SACD) and Hiventy.

Annecy 2017

May 16, 2017
Daily News Bytes

VIDEO: Animation Dingle 2017
JAM Media put together this upbeat video breakdown of the Irish toon confab, which will return with more films, frolics and perfectly poured pints in 2018. See 2017.animationdingle.com for more info.

Tencent and bilibili Lead in China’s Projected 150B Yuan Animation Market
The China Int’l Cartoon and Animation Festival recently wrapped up in Hangzhou, reporting a record 15.3 billion yuan ($2.2 billion USD) in contracts and sales completed during the event — and that’s just a slice of the exploding local market.

New President in Place at VIZ Media Europe
Kazuyoshi Takeuchi, formerly of Shodensha Publishing, is taking over for Hyoe Narita — the previous prez of 5 years will remain onhand as an executive advisor.

How BabyMoana Went from Being a Test Subject to a Scene Stealer in Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Latest Hit
Between Baby Moana and Baby Groot, Disney is giving us some major baby fever this year. Or maybe it’s just spring allergies? Either way, it’s all too cute.

The Animation Podcast Ep. 81: Bambi, Wallace & Gromit, Caillou
FilmBook author Mathieu Brunet has been laying down some weekly audio scoops on the animation news and views front. Check it out!

Animation Dingle 2017

May 16, 2017
Sony Keys in New ‘Emoji Movie’ Trailer: Now with More Poo

A next-gen trailer for Sony Pictures Animation’s behind-the-screen adventure The Emoji Movie has arrived, broading our view of the colorful, complex world of mobile emoticons that will hit theaters on July 28, 2017. This trailer also includes a special present, with the first look at acclaimed actor Sir Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of “Poop.”

As the award-winning dramatist and veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company said on a recent episode of Have I Got News for You: “I have been preparing for this role for a lifetime.”

Synopsis: Hidden within the messaging app is Textopolis, a bustling city where all your favorite emojis live, hoping to be selected by the phone’s user. In this world, each emoji has only one facial expression – except for Gene (T.J. Miller), an exuberant emoji who was born without a filter and is bursting with multiple expressions. Determined to become “normal” like the other emojis, Gene enlists the help of his handy best friend Hi-5 (James Corden) and the notorious code breaker emoji Jailbreak (Anna Faris). Together, they embark on an epic “app-venture” through the apps on the phone, each its own wild and fun world, to find the Code that will fix Gene. But when a greater danger threatens the phone, the fate of all emojis depends on these three unlikely friends who must save their world before it’s deleted forever.

The voice cast also features Sofia Vergara (Flamenco Dancer), Maya Rudolph (Smiler), Rob Riggle (Ice Cream), Jennifer Coolidge and Steven Wright (Gene’s parents, Mary and Mel Meh), and Jake T. Austin (Alex). The Emoji Movie is directed by Tony Leondis (Igor, Lilo & Stitch 2), who also wrote the screenplay with Eric Siegel.

Akiko (Christina Aguilera), Jailbreak (Anna Faris), Hi-5 (James Corden) and Gene (T.J. Miller) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s The Emoji Movie.

Jailbreak (Anna Faris), Gene (T.J. Miller) and Hi-5 (James Corden) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s The Emoji Movie.

May 16, 2017
New PBS KIDS Series ‘Pinkalicious & Peterrific’ Premieres in 2018

At the PBS Annual Meeting on Tuesday, the debut of a new PBS KIDS animated series was announced, with Pinkalicious & Peterrific set to premiere February 19, 2018 on TV and digital platforms. Based on the best-selling Pinkalicious book series (HarperCollins), the show is designed to encourage children ages 3-5 to engage in the creative arts and self-expression. WBGH Boston and its animation partner Sixteen South are in production on 38 half-hour episodes and one hour-long special.

The series follows the adventures of Pinkalicious — an artist at heart who sees the world in a different way, finding creative inspiration everywhere she looks. She knows what she likes and she’s not afraid to express herself, though sometimes she needs help from her brother, Peter, and their neighborhood friends. Each episode will include two 11-minute stories as well as a live-action interstitial and and original song.

“PBS stations are a go-to destination for the arts in their communities across the country; we often hear from artists that their first exposure to the arts came from PBS programming,” said Linda Simensky, VP Children’s Programming, PBS. “We are thrilled to build on our commitment to the arts with a PBS KIDS series entirely dedicated to the arts and creativity. Through Pinkalicious & Peterrific, we hope to encourage children across America to follow their passions and express themselves creatively, while building important skills and having fun.”

The TV series is part of a multiplatform Pinkalicious & Peterrific media experience, which will also include digital content for kids, parents and teachers launching in 2018 — including games, clips and full episodes across PBS KIDS websites, apps and streaming platforms. A dedicated app for the show will also debut next year.

Written by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann, with illustration by Victoria, the Pinkalicious book series includes 63 titles, translated into 8 languages, and has sold more than 23 million copies to date. The most recent book, Peterrific, debuted this month. The books have also inspired a stage musical which continues to play in New York and across the US.

“I’m tremendously excited to see the world of Pinkalicious and Peterrific come alive,” said Victoria Kann. “And I’m grateful to PBS and WGBH for helping to empower kids to explore and express their full creativity through this wonderful new series.”

Pinkalicious & Peterrific is executive produced by Dorothea Gillim (WGBH) and Victoria Kann, co-produced by WBGH and Sixteen South. The series is developed and produced with funding from PBS and Northern Ireland Screen.

Pinkalicious & Peterrific

May 16, 2017
GKIDS Teases ‘The Breadwinner’ Coming This Fall

GKIDS has unveiled the first teaser trailer for The Breadwinner — the third theatrical feature from Oscar nominated studio Cartoon Saloon, directed by Nora Twomey (co-director, The Secret of Kells). Based on the award-winning, best-selling young adult novel by Deborah Ellis, the film marks GKIDS’ first foray into producing and financing animated features, in addition to distribution. The Breadwinner is due in theaters this fall.

Scroll down to check out the first teaser trailer.

The movie centers on a young girl named Parvana, living under the Taliban regime, who cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family after her father is imprisoned. This riveting story of imagination and self-empowerment is being rendered in the eyecatching hand-drawn animation that has won Cartoon Saloon so much international respect for Kells and Song of the Sea.

The Breadwinner is produced by Aircraft Pictures’ Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen, Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore and Paul Young, and Melusine Productions’ Stephan Roelants. It is executive produced by Jolie Pas Production’s Angelina Jolie, Jehane Noujaim, Karim Amer, Mimi Polk Gitlin, Jon Levin, Regina K. Scully, Frank Falcone and Mary Bredin; Cartoon Saloon’s Gerry Shirren and GKIDS’ Eric Beckman and David Jesteadt. WestEnd Films is handling international sales.

“I am proud to be a part of this beautiful film with this timely and very important subject matter. Millions of girls around the world have to grow up before their time, working to provide for their families at a very young age and in difficult circumstances. They have the strength to do what no one should ask little girls to do. I hope this film is able to bring this discussion to a broader audience,” said Jolie. “As much as it is an important and very meaningful film, it also stands on its own as a great piece of art. Director Nora Twomey and her team have done something very special. They have breathed life into the characters and paid respect to the subject matter and to a country where women often struggle.”

An Ireland-Canada-Luxembourg co-production, The Breadwinner is being produced with the participation of Telefilm Canada & The Film Fund, the Irish Film Board, Film Fund Luxembourg, The Harold Greenberg Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland along with Gaia Entertainment and the Artemis Rising Foundation.

Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner novel (Groundwood Books) has been in print for over 15 years, and is recommended reading for many schools in North America and Europe. The title was recently endorsed by Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. The author recently completed My Name Is Parvana, the fourth book in the series which has sold more than 2.5 million copies in 25 languages. Ellis has donated more than $1 million in book royalties to Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan.

The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner

May 16, 2017
First Look at ‘Buñuel in the Labyrinth of Turtles’ Set for Cannes

Visitors to the Cannes film festival and market this month will have an opportunity to view the first animated sequences produced for Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles — an upcoming 2D animated feature from Spain’s The Glow Animation Studio. The footage will screen as part of Animation Day on May 23 at the event, where the film’s subject received so many honors for his works.

Based on the graphic novel by Fermín Solís, Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles relates the experiences of avant-garde filmmaker Luis Buñuel when he left Paris to film his documentary Land without Bread in direly impoverished Las Hurdes, Spain, in the 1930s. The animated feature is being produced in Extremadura, the same region where the documentary was shot, with Glow’s studio based in Almendralejo.

The film is adapted by Eligio Montero and director Salvador Simó, who makes his feature directing debut after working in visual effects on high-profile international projects such as VFX Oscar winner The Jungle Book, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Prince of Persia. Manuel Cristobal and Jose Fernández de Vega are producing, with Javier Espada as an associate producer and expert on Luis Buñuel.

In addition to being a recurring Official Selection and award winner at Cannes (including Best Director for Los Olvidados in 1951), the festival has named one of its main Salles after Buñuel. The filmmaker, who died in Mexico in 1983, will be remembered with a special screening of a new 4K remaster of Belle de Jour at this year’s festival.

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles

May 16, 2017
Funimation Opens Advance Tix for ‘Black Butler’ US Release

Advance ticketing is officially open for Funimation Films’ limited release of anime feature Black Butler: Book of The Atlantic. Based on the New York Times best-selling manga series, this latest film in the franchise will screen in theaters across the US on June 12 and 14, 2017 in both original Japanese with English subtitles and English dub versions.

Tickets can be pre-purchased at funimationfilms.com/blackbutler, where you can also locate your nearest participating cinema. Funimation has also revealed the full-length theatrical trailer, which you can check out below.

“We’re thrilled to bring Black Butler: Book of The Atlantic – the newest film in the immensely popular Black Butler franchise – to theaters this spring,” said Gen Fukunaga, founder and CEO of Funimation. “Black Butler fans, both new and old, can look forward to an exciting night at the movies. And for the very first time, they will be able to watch and enjoy a Black Butler mystery on the big screen.”

The film is directed by Noriyuki Abe (Black Butler: Book of Circus, Black Butler: Book of Murder, Yuu Yuu Hakusho) and produced by A-1 Pictures in Japan.

Black Butler: Book of The Atlantic

Black Butler: Book of The Atlantic

Black Butler: Book of The Atlantic

May 15, 2017
German & Chinese Partners Sink Teeth into ‘Dumpling Queen’

An agreement between East and West which will see the development and production of an appetizing new animated comedy feature has been announced from Cannes. China’s Huawen Pictures and Gravity Pictures have partnered with Berlin- and L.A.-based MovieBrats Pictures for the project, Variety details.

The project was recently pitched at Animation Production Day in Stuttgart, with MovieBrats and production partner Gravity presenting.

The Dumpling Queen will tap into the universal language of food as it relates the action-packed, empowering story of a girl as she takes over the family dumpling restaurant from her father. In the process of finding her place in the world, she must learn to cook from the heart after losing track of the magic recipe that was supposed to help fend off her wicked uncle.

MovieBrats Studios in Berlin is currently a work on the visual development. The animation production work for The Dumpling Queen will be shared with a studio in China.

The film is been written by US screenwriter Raven Burnett from an original story by Burnett, Alexander Weimer and Tobias Trebeljahr. Weimar and Esther Friedrich will serve as producers for MovieBrats, with Gravity’s Wayne Wei Jiang and Huawen’s Liu Yiwei as executive producers.

The Dumpling Queen

May 15, 2017
Dazzling Star Puts ‘Beijing Opera Cats’ in Licensing Expo Spotlight

Chinese animation producer Dazzling Star will be bringing its award-winning kids’ series Beijing Opera Cats to the show floor in Las Vegas for the 2017 Licensing Expo (May 23-25). Aimed at viewers ages 6-12, the show’s combination of Kung Fu action and Beijing Opera opulence have helped make it a hit since debuting in China in 2015.

The tale is set in the world of Purpetua, which used to be a cat paradise but has since been taken over by evil forces and become a chaotic place infested with monsters. Only the Beijing Opera Cats and their “harmony power” can unite the people and restore the land. The series highlights the values of curiosity, compassion and courage.

Since its launch, Beijing Opera Cats has reached a record 18.02% of the Chinese market, and totted up more than 700 million views on popular digital platforms. The characters already feature in games, consumer products and theme parks.

In addition to Licensing Expo, Beijing Opera Cats will be a featured property at MIP-Junior and the Asia TV Forum & Market later this year. Dazzling Star Culture Development Co. was founded in 2009 by YangGang Du with the aim of utilizing advanced technology and cultural traditions to create excellent Chinese animation.

Beijing Opera Cats

May 15, 2017
Daily News Bytes

‘Agent 327: Operation Barbershop’ Trailer: How Blender Was Used to Pull Off Hollywood-Level Animation
Blender Foundation chairman Ton Roosendaal explains how top-notch visual quality was achieved for this secret agent’s brush (and comb) with danger.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’: Why Making Baby Groot Dance Was a Major VFX Challenge
As someone who can barely dance in real life, Bill Desowitz’s explanation of the little man’s boogie-down to ELO is a welcome insight.

VR’s Excellent Animation Tool Tvori Gets Better with Major Update
The Vive app’s suite of animation features gets a well-deserved polish.

‘Nagoya Animation Project’ Documentary Series Takes a Peek Behind-the-Scenes
The docuseries follows the artists at Sublimation (Ancient and the Mystic Tablet, Space Battleship Yamato 2202) has launched on Chukyo TV’s streaming service Chuun.

Hong Kong Approves Funding for $1.4 Billion Disneyland Expansion
Lawmakers are being raked over the park’s poor performance and management fees, but it looks like the expansion plans that will add Marvel and Frozen features is going ahead.

Agent 327: Operation Barbershop

May 15, 2017
Cyber Group Picks up TV Rights to UNICEF-Sponsored ‘Iqbal’

Paris-based producer-distributor Cyber Group Studios has picked up the rights to bring multi-award winning animated feature Iqbal, Tale of a Fearless Child to TV and OTT across the globe. The Franco-Italian production was developed with the sponsorship of UNICEF to support the international fight against child slavery. Iqbal will be presented at the Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off this week.

Based on Francesco D’Amato’s book — inspired by a true story and published in more than 30 countries — Iqbal, Tale of a Fearless Child centers on an energetic and joyful child who wishes to earn money to help his sick brother. Trying to support his family, Iqbal is exploited in a rug factory, but manages to rise against his abusers. The film is directed by Michel Fuzellier and Babek Payami.

Since its theatrical release, Iqbal has traveled the festival circuit, being recognized with official selection, nominations and awards. It was in the Panorama selection at the Montreal International Children’s Film Festival; closed out the Meknes International Animation Film Festival and screening in 10 cities across Morocco; won the Best Animated Feature prize at Cartoons on the Bay; and took the Young Public Award for Best Animated Feature at the Annecy Film Festival for Human Rights in France.

In February, Iqbal screened at the first exhibition organized by French and American NGO Street Art for Mankind (SAM) in Miami, which raised funds for the rights and freedom of children. The film will screen at the opening of Positive Cinema Week on May 17 in Paris, and has been selected for the Positive Cinema Festival — awards will be announced during Cannes at the Positive Planet fundraising dinner on May 24.

The film is produced by 2d3D Animations and Gertie studio. Cyber Group has acquired television and OTT distribution rights to Iqbal worldwide, excluding France, Italy and China.

Iqbal, Tale of a Fearless Child

May 15, 2017
300-Plus Films Slated for Animafest Zagreb 2017

The 27th World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb will return to the Croatian capital from June 5-10 — following myriad introductory events slated for the end of May. This year’s fest will offer competitions for recent works, themed program (this year’s focus: the connection between animation and comic books) and retrospectives, screening over 300 films. Plus, supplementary exhibitions, workshops, lectures, school presentations, open-air events, site-specific films and symposium.

Out of 1,600 submissions fro 76 different countries, 800 entries were vying for a spot in the Grand Competition – Short Film category. Of the 44 qualifying films, France is the most represented nation of origin with 9; Poland, Germany, Canada and the USA also have a strong presence, with a good share of Scandinavian fare in the mix. The competition also includes Croation films Hedgehog’s Home by Eva Cvijanović (made in cooperation with NFB), which opened at Berlinale; Michaela Müller’s paint-on-glass Airport, Nighthawk by Špela Čadež, Manivald by Chintis Lundgren, and Božidar Trkulja’s tongue-in-cheek stop-motion fantasy The Last Quest. Full info on this year’s diverse selections is online.

This year’s Grand Competition – Feature Film lineup features 9 ambitious and broadly acclaimed films from around the world: The Red Turtle by Michaël Dudok de Wit (France/Belgium/Japan), My Life as a Zucchini by Claude Barras (France/Switzeraland), Louise by the Shore by Jean-François Laguionie (France/Canada), The Girl Without Hands by Sébastien Laudenbach (France), In This Corner of the World by Sunao Katabuchi (Japan), Have a Nice Day by Liu Jian (China), My Dogs JinJin & Akida by Cho Jong-duck (South Korea), Where It Floods by Joel Benjamin (US), and the latest film by Bill Plympton and Jim Lujan: Revengeance (US).

Granting a peek at the future of the artform is the Student Film Competition, with a range of aesthetics and genres on parade in films which tackle serious topics like feminism, transgender rights and diversity; oft-taboo topics of the body and sexuality; and sometimes just revel in humor. France and Germany tie for dominance with 5 films each, followed by Belgium and Japan (4), and Croatia (3). This year, FAMU in Prague will be given the Best Animation School Award, and receive a special retrospective screening — as will Denmark’s The Animation Workshop.

The Croatian Film Competition comprises 16 films serving as a slize of insight into animation production in the country, its cinematic traditions and increasing international co-production activity. Beginning May 23, the media facade at the Museum of Contemporary Art will screen site-specific animations from 11 countries in the Animation Goes MSU! competition, with selections from many returning artists. And a specially curated assortment of refined international gems will attempt to capture the “big picture” in the World Panorama program.

The strong ties weaving together animation and comic-books will be explored with special screenings of feature films (Fritz the Cat, Savage Religion) and shorts picked by experts Amid Amidi, Jens Meinrenken and Daniel Šuljić; selection of Croation comickers who have worked in animation; and a motion-comics exhibition at ULUPUH Gallery. The Masters of Animation retrospective program will follow the thee with a loo at the works of Dutch director, musician and visual artist Rosto and the Animafest 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Borivoj Dovniković Bordo.

This year’s Animafest Scanner III symposium will also focus on the connections between comics and cartoons, as well changes in the worlds of animation, psychology and new media. This meeting point between theory and practical discourse will feature a keynote speech by Maureen Furniss, an American author, historian and educator who is being honored with this year’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Animation Studies.

Locals and visitors will be welcome to seven Open Air park screenings of Persepolis, April and the Extraordinary World, Magic Mountain, Endgame, Corto Maltese, Late Night Work Club: Strangers and Savage Religions. Additional screenings will celebrate music videos, Cartoon d’Or nominees, and films for young viewers in the Family Program and Children’s Film Competition (augmented by special events across the city). Animafest also offers a Video Game Workshop, and this year introduces “animacycling” on May 20. This novel event combines animation and recreation as participants enjoy a sunset pedal from Tuškanac and finish at Zrinjevac, lead by quads with projectors which will transform Zagreb’s streets into an ever changing screen for bike-themed films The Triplets of Belleville, Me and My Moulton, Velodrool and Father and Daughter.

More information at animafest.hr/en.

Hedgehog’s Home

May 15, 2017
Katharina Feistauer Named VP Programming at Nick UK & Ireland

Nickelodeon UK & Ireland announced late last week the appointment of Katharina Feistauer to the role of Vice President, Programming, effective July 3. Reporting to General Manager Alison Bakunowich, the new veep will take over development and execution of strong schedules and media plans across the network’s seven linear channels as well as on demand and digital platforms.

Feistauer is stepping in for James Newton, who vacated the position in February to pursue other opportunities after holding the post for less than a year. She joins the company from Scripps Networks International, where she was VP Programming for UK and EMEA for over two years. Feistauer boards Nick UK & Ireland as the network enters its 11th month as the No. 1 commercial kidsnet in the UK.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining Nickelodeon and to be working within the kids’ market. Nickelodeon is a powerhouse brand with world-renowned programming and properties,” said Feistauer. “Nickelodeon UK & Ireland are in an impressive competitive position, growing share over the last year and broadcasting some of the biggest kids’ series in the UK. I am looking forward to joining the team to take the network even further and grow audiences across the company’s platforms.”

During her time at Scripps, Feistauer led all program functions for nine channel feeds — including Travel Channel, Food Network, HGTV and Fine Living. Under her, Travel Channel UK more than doubled its audience share since 2015; and audiences grew across the portfolio. Feistauer previously held key positions at Discovery Networks and NBC Networks International.

Nickelodeon

May 15, 2017
D.W. Finally Turns 5 in New ‘Arthur’ Special

After more than 20 years on the air, the plucky middle sibling of the Read household is finally getting to celebrate a birthday in a special new episode of Arthur. Premiering on PBS KIDS’s channel and streaming platforms on May 29, “D.W. and the Beastly Birthday” will teach young viewers a valuable lesson about handling disappointment, and give a respectful nod to the work of Maurice Sendak.

In the episode, D.W.’s long-awaited fifth birthday celebrations don’t go as planned, causing the frustrated birthday girl to run away to a magical island called Ukubonga. Meanwhile, her big brother Arthur has skipped the party to go on a school trip to the planetarium — where he accidentally gets transported four years into the future!

“D.W. and the Beastly Birthday” will encore on June 2. The birthday bash will be followed by new Arthur episodes premiering throughout the week, which will arrive on streaming platforms in June.

May 30: “Lend Me Your Ear” – Arthur, Buster, and Brain are worried when Mr. Ratburn isn’t acting like himself. He’s always pleased to see them…so what has made him change his tune?

May 30: “The Butler Did It” – When Mr. Crosswire gets a robot butler for Father’s Day, Muffy fears Bailey may be replaced.

May 31: “Prunella’s Tent of Portent” – At the Elwood City Picnic, Prunella pretends she can see the future at her fortune telling booth. But her best friend, Marina, doubts her mystical powers.

May 31: “Mutiny on the Pitch” – The Lakewood Elementary soccer team has had enough of Francine’s bossy behavior. To show the team how much they need her, Francine gives up her post to the most unlikely teammate…Buster!

June 1: “The Hallway Minotaur” – Attention Lakewood Elementary! There’s a new sheriff—er, hallway monitor—in town, and his name is George Lundgren.

June 1: “Ladonna’s Like List” – Ladonna Compson is friendly, funny, and full of personality. Everyone likes her! At least, that’s what she thought…

Based on the children’s books by author-illustrator Marc Brown, Arthur is the longest running kids’ cartoon in the US. Aimed at preschoolers, the show centers on a young aardvark-boy and his family and friends as they learn to tackle everyday situations and embark on imaginative adventures. Arthur is produced by 9 Story in partnership with Marc Brown Studios, PBS, and CBC.

Arthur

Arthur

Arthur

May 15, 2017
‘Beauty and the Beast’ Waltzes Home June 6

Disney’s live-action adaptation of its groundbreaking 1991 animated fairytale Beauty and the Beast will be bringing the magic home (complete with CG scene-stealers) on June 6 when it’s released on Digital HD, Blu-ray, DVD, Disney Movies Anywhere and On Demand. Home viewers will get not only three ways to watch the box-office record-breaking movie, but also more than 10 minutes of deleted scenes and tons of backstage insights through special features.

Directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay by Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos, the new take on the tale as old a time stars Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as The Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Josh Gad as LeFou, Ewan McGregor as Lumière, Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, Hattie Morahan as the enchantress and Nathan Mack as Chip with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts.

Alan Menken provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs from the animated feature written by Menken and Howard Ashman as well as three new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice. The film is produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman, p.g.a. and Todd Lieberman, p.g.a with Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Don Hahn serving as executive producers.

The DVD version includes a music video for the iconic song “Beauty and the Beast,” but the real magic can be found amidst the Blu-ray and Digital HD extras:

Enchanted Table Read – Join the cast for the movie’s elaborately staged table read, complete with singing and dancing to live music, set pieces and more.
A Beauty of a Tale – Explore the process of transforming a beloved animated film into a new live- action classic.
The Women Behind Beauty and the Beast – Emma Watson introduces several of the talented women in all aspects of production who helped bring this enchanted tale to life.
Making a Moment with Celine Dion – Celine Dion shares what it’s like to sing “How Does a Moment Last Forever.”
From Song to Screen: Making the Musical Sequences – See what goes into making some of the film’s best- known moments (“Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” “Beauty and the Beast”)
Deleted Scenes – Director Bill Condon presents a collection of scenes that, for one reason or another, ended up on the cutting-room floor. (“Gaston Courts Belle,” “Bread and Jam for Agather,” “Storming the Ice Gates,” “Lumiere Torches LeFou,” Monsieur Toilette,” “Cogsworth Rescues Lumiere,” “Treacle the Lasses,” “LeFour and Monsieur Toilette Reunite”)
Extended Song: “Days in the Sun” – Learn more about Beast’s childhood in an alternate version of this beautiful song, introduced by Condon.
“Beauty and the Beast” Music Video – Award-winning artists Ariana Grande and John Legend perform a moving version of this iconic song.
Making the Music Video – Go on set to capture the magic as it happens in Ariana Grande and John Legend’s “Beauty and the Beast” music video.
Disney Song Selection – Jump directly to all your favorite songs and sing along with the movie.

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

May 14, 2017
‘Adventure Time: The Complete Seventh Season’ Plants Stakes July 18

Cartoon Network has announced that a spankin’ new DVD collection of Pendleton Ward’s popular comedy-fantasy toon is coming home July 18 with the release of Adventure Time: The Complete Seventh Season. The 25-episode collection includes the popular “Stakes” miniseries arc and comes locked and loaded with fun bonus content — all for an SRP of $24.98.

In the seventh season of this Emmy and Peabody Award-winning animated series, Jake the Dog and Finn the Human must contend with some major changes in the Candy Kingdom. Princess Bubblegum is exiled to live on the shores of Lake Butterscotch, where she tries to grow a new kingdom made of vegetables. Marceline decides she no longer wants to be a vampire and asks Princess Bubblegum to help her get rid of her vampiric essence. Her quest to become mortal sets off a series of events that are captured in the eight-part “Stakes” story arc, which named No. 1 time period ratings across all key kids and boys demos.

Also included in the season seven release is “Bad Jubies,” the award-winning stop-motion episode. Plus: “Bonnie & Neddy,” “Varmints,” “Cherry Cream Soda,” “Mama Said,” “Football,” “The More Yuo Moe, The Moe You Know,” “Summer Showers,” “Angel Face,” “President Porpoise Is Missing,” “Blank Eyed Girl,” “A King’s Ransom,” “Scamps,” “Crossover,” “Hall of Egress,” “Flute Spell” and “The Thin Yellow Line.”

Bonus content includes animatics, galleries, song demos, Making of “Bad Jubies,” Hyperlapse of “Bad Jubies” and Title Card Creation featurettes.

Adventure Time Season 7 DVD

May 14, 2017
Anthony Vinciquerra Tapped to Head Sony Pictures

Experienced media executive Anthony Vinciquerra has been named the new Chairman and CEO of Sony Picture Entertainment, effective June 1. Vinciquerra is stepping in for 13 year veteran Michael Lynton, who announced his departure in January. Reporting to Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai, the new SPE head will oversee the studio’s corporate groups and its business division — Sony’s Motion Picture Group (which includes Sony Pictures Animation and Imageworks), Sony Pictures Television and Worldwide Media Networks.

“Tony is a proven, results-oriented leader with extensive experience running and driving growth in large, complex media and entertainment businesses,” said Hirai. “His operating skills, effectiveness working with creative teams and expertise in managing digital disruption and new technologies make him the perfect choice to lead SPE, and build on the studio’s turnaround efforts to date. I want to thank Michael for his years of service and dedication to the success of our entertainment businesses, and for his commitment to our CEO search and this transition.”

Vinciquerra is currently senior advisor for technology, media and telecommunications to Texas Pacific Group. Previously, he was Chairman and CEO at FOX Networks Group, where he spent nearly a decade. Prior to FOX, he worked in the broadcasting division at Hearst Corporation and and CBS.

Sony Pictures Animation recently released Smurfs: The Lost Village and will see two more titles this year: The Emoji Movie (July 28) and The Star (Nov. 10) — its upcoming slate also includes Peter Rabbit, the third Hotel Transylvania feature and the highly anticipated, untitled animated Spider-Man flick in 2018.

Sony Pictures

May 14, 2017
Daily News Bytes

‘Alien: Covenant’ Puts Viewers Inside an Alien Womb with Virtual Reality Experience ‘In Utero’
That’s OK, Mr. Alien-birthing VR experience, I didn’t feel like eating today anyway.

China Acquires Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment Company
Hong Kong-based Camsing International Holdings is taking on the POW! IP library with the aim of creating “another Marvel in the Asian market” — Lee will remain as Chief Creative Officer.

Animation Lockdown: A Four Day Animation Jam
The annual Quickdraw Animation Society’s toon-intensive will run May 19-22 in Calgary (free, public screening May 26) and tap into the theme “Brave New Worlds.”

Pen in Hand, a Legendary Disney Animator Comes to Denver for Free Masterclass
House of Mouse veteran Floyd Norman (and subject of last year’s fascinating documentary An Animated Life) will head to Colorado to spread some knowledge and experience first-hand.

Animation Masters Summit 2017 Concluded with a Blast, Leaving the Audience Wanting More
India’s premiere industry event — hosted by Toonz — was the platform for insights from pros across Asia and plenty of local flair.

Alien: Covenant In Utero

May 14, 2017
Larkshead Media Opens Dublin Partner Office

Media services company Larkshead Media (a subsidiary of Bob & Co.) has opened a partner office in Dublin: Larkshead Media Ireland. Located in City Centre, the shop officially opened for business on May 1. Eamon McElwee, founder of Global Media Finance, has been appointed to head the operation, bringing with him 25 years’ experience as a producer, media business consultant and managing director working across kids’ TV, animation and documentaries locally and internationally.

Larkshead Media has a focus on children’s programming, with a portfolio that includes Q Pootle 5, Ray of Hope, Tales from the Web, Dot and Dash, and Alfi. The Irish office will support Larkshead’s overall services, which include development, strategy, investment, licensing & merchandising, and distribution. However, Larkshead Media Ireland’s main focus will be on finance, investments packaging and co-production.

Ireland was selected for these activities because of the tax shelter, subsidy and investment opportunities it offers, as well as for its array of successful animation studios and strong talent pool. The Dublin office will also play a key role in Larkshead’s plans for the wider European market, allowing the company to safely grow and build EU relationships despite the uncertainties of Brexit.

“This new office not only offers opportunity in finance, investment packaging and co-production but is a strong statement regarding our ambitions in Europe,” said Tim Patterson, Larkshead Media’s CEO. “This initiative is further enhanced by the appointment of Eamon McElwee, who brings diverse experience in funding and business development for media projects, to this very important new role. We’re delighted to have Eamon on board.”

Eamon McElwee

May 12, 2017
One Animation Starts Production on New ‘Oddbods’ Season

Singapore’s One Animation has kicked off production on a new 60 x 7 min. season of its award-winning kids’ animated comedy Oddbods. The upcoming package was green lit earlier this year, and has already secured key broadcast partners — including Turner, for its flagships channels Cartoon Network and Boomerang in Latin America, and for Boomerang across EMEA.

Since Oddbods launched as a digital short-form series, the new season is the second for long-form, but the third overall. The cartoons have racked up 1.5 billion views online and attracted tens of thousands of fans on social media.

The production is getting in to gear just as the studio has revealed a raft of new broadcasting partners for the first long-form season, including Nickelodeon (Benelux), SVT (Sweden) and Carousel (Russia). Netflix began its global roll-out in April, starting with its streaming services in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

“Oddbods has a strong fan base spanning not only kids but also teens, young adults and parents,” said Sashim Parmanand, CEO of One Animation. “Our broadcast partners are reporting strong viewing figures, and we’ve seen phenomenal growth from our social media following over the last 12 months. Both of which reflect the change in viewing habits – increasingly audiences want to engage across multiple platforms whether it’s a TV or a mobile phone.”

Oddbods is a non-dialogue comedy features seven distinct little characters who, despite their differences, band together to survive the perils of daily life — unintentionally turning ordinary situations into hilarious escapades.

Oddbods

Oddbods

Oddbods

May 12, 2017